Sun Destinations Blog - Page 41 of 117 - Sun Destinations Safari

Jul 21, 2017
Africa on Foot, Blog, Ezulwini, nThambo Tree Camp, The Week in Pictures, Tuskers Bush Camp, Umkumbe Safari Lodge Riverside, Uncategorized, Xobega Island Camp

Week in Pics : The ‘Veld is Heaving with Predator Sightings

This week we’ve been inundated with images from our rangers and photographers. It appears that the bushveld is heaving with predator sightings and the big five also appear to be putting on a show for us. From the rare suspended Nile crocodile in the Okavango Delta to the thirsty elephant bull visiting the lodge pool and the re-appearance of handsome legend lion Duma; it all seems to be unfolding this peak safari season. A myriad of colours, a choir of shrill and gentle sounds, and the smell of a fresh predator kill – this week the ‘veld has delighted our senses!

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

The Klaserie sister camps have also been rewarded with a plethora of big cat sightings. The Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses have been a prominent feature this week, and the Sumatra male lion was also seen enjoying their company. Then there was a sighting of burgeoning male leopard, Bundu, just relaxing in the top of a tree. We’ve had a number of elephant herds filtering through the camps, and a large bull has decided that the pool at Africa on Foot is his local watering hole!

Ezulwini Game Lodges

Ezulwini Game Lodges have been hard at work sponsoring the Rocking for Rhinos festival, but that’s not to say that sightings have been slim. In fact, quite the opposite. There have been unusual sightings of crocodiles, lone buffalo dagga boys and even leopards.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Umkumbe have produced the sighting of the week. The subject? Big cats of course! It is the Sabi Sand after all. White Dam’s cub executed a kill and hoisted it up into a tree. Mxabene, our favourite and dominant male, asserted his authority and stole the kill from White Dam’s cub! Then rangers Geoff and Nadia reported that the Tsala male lions have been spotted on a regular basis, just patrolling the area close to camp.

Xobega Island Camp and Tuskers Bush Camp

We’ve had quite a rare sighting of the “swamp lions” in the Okavango Delta. These lions have adapted to their living conditions, which comprise marshy and swampy terrain. Tuskers Bush Camp is also enjoying their fair share of sightings. From buffalo to birding and beyond, the Kwatale Conservancy is producing quite a few rare sightings.

Ivory Wilderness Riversong Camp

Warren reports directly from camp that there have been a few exciting developments. Golden-haired, powerful male lion called Duma has wandered over to this section of the Klaserie. Coupled with that, guests have enjoyed leopard sightings, the heavy presence of scavengers and the river in front of the lodge seems to be heaving with the presence of elephant herds. Warren Howson very kindly sent through his weekly wildlife mix, which breaks down the sightings seen during the past week.

Photographing Owls is Always a Hoot

Owls. They carry with them a sense of wisdom, aura of mystery and innate intuition. Owls are respected by many and honoured in folklore. Their Mona Lisa eyes have the ability to make us feel like our every movement is being observed, and their hooting sound and screeching calls are unmistakeable. The majority of owls thrive at dusk and dawn, but there are also the partially diurnal species that provide us with perfect visuals during the day. We’re not going to analyse every type of owl species in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (of which there are many) but we are going to find out more about one of recent sightings of a Verreaux’s eagle-owl, Africa’s largest nocturnal and crepuscular owl. Otherwise known as the milky eagle-owl or the giant eagle-owl, this bird of prey is one of the largest and exquisite owls to spot while on safari.

When photographer Em Gatland took the night hours – in true night owl fashion – she had little idea of what lay ahead. The indigo night sky and barren trees created quite the 3D illusion and with the full moon mothering the landscape below, her photos proved to be beautifully eerie, yet stark and filled with a sense of enigma. While happily and peacefully listening to the sound of her slow shutter speed, Em noticed the unmistakeable presence of a Verreaux’s eagle-owl. Perched comfortably on the branch of a decaying tree, the bird of prey hung around long enough to provide us with a few interesting photos.

Here are a few facts about this large species of owl.

1. This species of owl is active at night, and, like most nocturnal birds is not bestowed with the beauty of bright plumes and rainbow colours. In fact, they’re normally mottled blacks, whites, browns and grey; and somewhat drab in appearance. The males have little need to put on colourful courtship displays like their diurnal counterparts because, well, it’s dark. Also, these bushveld colours means that owls can remain camouflaged during the day.

2. Because this is larger owl, it’s diet requires bigger species of prey than other owls. It preys on medium-sized animals and even large birds. Prey can even include warthog piglets, springhares and Secretary birds. The Verreaux’s owl will consume insects and any “small” prey that comes their way, but they also don’t hesitate to carry off quarry weighing up to 1.8kg. Owls will glide gracefully through the air and then swoop down to snatch their prey.

3. Verreaux’s eagle-owls are monogamous birds and generally guard over their territory with a cacophony of song. The courtship ritual involves a series of rather staggered bobbing and shuffling movements. These owls will only breed annually in the dry season and after giving birth, fledglings will leave the nest at roughly two months.

Photographing owls is always a hoot…

Warwick’s Rare Sighting of the Okavango Delta’s Swamp Lions

Warwick Hendry – an avid writer, photographer, guide and wildlife enthusiast is based at Tuskers Bush Camp and Xobega Island Camp in Botswana. His most recent sighting? The rare and rather noteworthy sighting of 3 male swamp lions that lie deep within the Okavango Delta. These lions have adapted physically and mentally to their surrounds.

During a recent trip to Xobega Island in the Okavango Delta, a group of visitors and I were afforded the incredible privilege of getting up close and personal with a group of three young swamp lions.

These extraordinary cats, found across the Okavango Delta, are frequently heard through the night as they proclaim their sovereignty to the stars. Seeing them is a different story, though, especially from a boat.

Our morning cruise through the meandering waterways around Xobega Lediba (Xobega Lagoon) was packed with all the usual delights the Delta has to offer – light and sound and colour, feathers and fronds and fast-flowing water.

Felines were the furthest thing from anybody’s mind – cats don’t like water do they? Well, it turns out some do.

As we rounded a bend lined with water-berry trees to the left and a thick reed bed to right right, our eagle-eyed guide spotted something sprawled in the sun on an open patch of grass. Slamming the boat into reverse, he fought the current to position us for a better look.

Our curiosity quickly turned from surprise to incredulity as we saw, spread out before us, three young male swamp lions, with the mud on their feet and the water still dripping from their coats to prove it.

They seemed not the slightest bit concerned with our presence as we bobbed in the current a few meters off their beach, snapping photos and trying to contain our excitement. They’d fix us with a lazy half-lidded stare every so often, but we clearly weren’t going to disturb their relaxed morning drying off in the sun.

The lions of the Okavango Delta are different from their land-bound brethren in several interesting ways. They tend to be broader in the shoulder – possibly, like human swimmers, because of the fact that these muscles are worked while they swim. Certainly the three young boys we saw seemed to demonstrate this physiological trait – all three were physically very impressive.

There have also been suggestions that they have begun to develop more substantial webbing between their toes, which would make sense evolutionarily given the advantage this would mean while swimming. They’ve even been known to prey upon crocodiles!

This would seem to suggest that there may be genetic differences emerging between the lions of the swamps and those of the surrounding areas, which is in itself interesting given the fact that there is no hard boundary between these populations.

Science aside, though, this was an absolutely incredible encounter with three young male swamp lions in their prime. Another exceptional sighting in the world’s only inland delta, that vast lush wilderness surrounded by desert.

This truly is a very special place – you’re just never certain what’s waiting for you around the next bend in the river.

Week in Pics : Wildlife, Food, Campfires and People

Balmy evenings spent around the roaring campfire, sundowner stops with new friends in the middle of the bushveld, dining on traditional home-cooked meals and game drive hours spent tracking the big five. These are just a few of our favourite past-times while on safari. You’d be gravely mistaken for thinking that a safari is only about spotting wildlife. The word safari actually means journey. And for us, it’s a journey into the very heart and soul of the bushveld. It’s about connection with the earth and others, soaking up the natural surrounds and enjoy the simple – and often luxurious life. Today for Week in Pics, we celebrate the things that make a safari tick. Wildlife, food, campfires and people. A safari – it is an experience and a lifestyle!

This week, one of our top highlights has been the emergence of the swamp lions around the Okavango Delta close to our Botswana camp, Xobega Island Camp. We’re not going to divulge too much information about this because we have a blog coming next week. Apart from that, we took time to focus on what happens behind the scenes and get to know one of the rangers from Africa on Foot. Wildlife wise, the Klaserie has had a bounty of lion sightings. The Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses have been spotted on regular occasions and on Wednesday night, two male lions were seen chasing a buffalo.

Ezulwini Game Lodges is one of the sponsors of the Rocking for Rhinos festival and they’ve put their heart and soul into helping to raise funds for their initiative. While busy with this, they’ve also set up camera traps around camp to capture the wildlife magic while we’re asleep.

Enjoy your weekend and we hope it is filled with wildlife, food, campfires and people!

#TheSafariLifestyle : Video Interview with Field Guide Luan Oosthuizen

His warm brown eyes punctuate the crisp air of the surrounding bushveld, offering many pensive and reflective moments of a life well-lived in the backyard of Africa. He is a quiet man with a mischievous demeanour and expert knowledge of wildlife. Some of his tales are best left untold, while others are moments to be shared around crackling campfires. His soul reflects a man who clearly has a love for his family, the untamed wild, and his beloved dog – Nala. Today we chat to Luan Oosthuizen, a field and trails guide at Africa on Foot, a camp in the Kruger’s uncrowded and pristine Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. Luan’s family are the original owners of the Ross Farm (Africa on Foot) and he is very much entrenched in the history of the land.

Ross Farm (now Africa on Foot) was founded by Tien Prinsloo in 1948, and became a place for his family to visit throughout the year. During this period of time, there was nothing but dusty roads and rugged fences. Plenty of memories were made in this part of the world and to this day, will never be forgotten. Just three days after Luan’s birthday on 27th June 1988, Tien Prinsloo passed away. The farm was passed down to his children, and it became their backyard – a place that became a prominent part of Luan’s upbringing. Those balmy African days shaped who Luan is today, threading the spirit of the wild through his DNA. In 2006, the Ross Farm was turned into a commercial operation and Luan moved back familiar ground in 2014.

When his leather veldskoen kick up the soil of the land we can see how Luan is perfectly in tune with bushveld living, so natural and so defined by the simplicity of outdoor living. That’s Luan ! We decided to take spend time with Luan and ask him a few questions in conjunction with his video interview.

1. Where did you grow up, what did you study and who influenced your direction in the wild word of safari? –

I grew up on a farm outside Ermalo. I studied Landscaping and Architecture. I’ve been influenced by the ‘veld from a young age by friends, family and always visiting the Klaserie as a family farm holiday spot.

2. What made you decide to become a ranger and what is the lifestyle like?

A love for nature, time in the bush and outdoors led me to this place. I also have a passion for outside and the freedom it brings. The safari lifestyle is often determined by movement of animals.

3. We know that rangers lead walks and conduct game drives, but we also know how hard you work. What does a typical day-in-the-life of a ranger entail?

Depends on whats happening around camp. It can be anything from tracking wildlife, looking after vehicles, maintenance, ensuring solar systems are running, and obviously ensuring guests are comfortable.

4. What have been a few of your most scary experiences while guiding?

One is – being stuck on a drive with a charging elephant and I had to remain calm until elephant moved off.

5. Any advice to potential rangers?

The more time you spend in nature the more you learn. Spend as much time working with other guides and always keep researching.

6. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Fishing, travelling and exploring areas undiscovered.

7. List some of your favourite things about the Klaserie camps.

Both nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot are untouched, eco friendly and surrounded by wide open spaces. There’s also a huge diversity of fauna and flora on our traverse.

8. What is your favourite animal to see in the wild?

The rare African wild dogs.

9. What are your future plans?

I will be introducing and leading Wilderness trails through the Greater Kruger – Africa on Foot trails will be launching soon.

10. And lastly, what are your nicknames?

Jinx, its from school days and a long story. Catch me at the camp fire or bush bar for this one…

* Nala is Luan’s feisty Jack Russell sidekick, but the pair are careful not to venture out too far. The video was filmed in and around the periphery of Luan’s house and we let Nala jump on board for a chance in the limelight.

This, in essence, is #TheSafariLifestyle !

Week in Pics : Time for Change

The change of season is upon us, which means we witness a flurry of new activity in the safari world. As we edge into a new season, we innately understand that change is inevitable and sometimes hard. Humans tend to come down with ailments at the start of a new season, while our wildlife just adapts and survive. Regardless, we press on. In sticking with the “change” theme, we’ve decided to ruffle feathers and tweak how we deliver “Week in Pics”.

Every week we will share a bumper album of epic photos taken by rangers at our all of our camps – this will be shared onto the Sun Destinations Facebook page. We will do this in an effort to give exposure to our up and coming wildlife photographers/rangers. On a monthly basis we select a “picture of the month” and post it onto the individual lodge/camp page with a description about the sighting and insight into how the photo was taken. Out with the old ideas and in with the new!

This week the lions of the Klaserie came crawling out of the woodwork, and we were surprised to see newcomers exploring the turf close to where the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses normally hang out. The newcomers are the Mbiri coalition of two males with their two females. Lion life in the Klaserie is going to get interesting. Coupled with that, we had reports of a leopard sighting of Bundu the young male patrolling the area around a waterhole. In the distance, a familiar throaty call of the leopard could be heard – it was either Cleo or Ross Dam. The honey badgers have also decided it’s time to enjoy a much needed break and enjoy the luxurious of lodge life! Guests are loving their presence.

Ivory Wilderness Riversong Camp continues to enjoy the presence of their two main prides – the River and Dundee Pride. However, every two weeks or so, Warren says they see the Eastern Pride from the Balule Nature Reserve.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge guests managed to watch a lioness hunting while relaxing on the deck at the lodge! Ranger Geoffrey will be sending us a video from his guests.

Ezulwini Game Lodges have wowed us with their camera trap footage and this shows us what life is like behind the scenes.

We hope you enjoy our new way of doing things. Just remember, to quote Marilyn Monroe, “good things fall apart so better things can fall together”.

Klaserie Lion Update : Two Sides of the (Imaginary) Fence

Whether it’s powerful matriarchs governing intelligent herds of elephant, protective lionesses hovering over their birth pride or motherly leopardesses teaching cubs the artful skill of conducting kills; one thing is undeniable in the bushveld – the feminine energy is powerful and often a force to be reckoned with. Lionesses are a powerhouse of maternal instinct, stealth like prowess and emotional aggression. They are not to be underestimated and they’re survivors – the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses are testament to this.

For quite sometime, our traverse has been dominated by the force of the Ross girls, but now we’re welcoming a fresh, new feminine energy in the area. While the Ross Pride lionesses do their thing, seemingly only enjoying each other’s company and the occasional mating session with wandering males, the other lions continue to filter into their home turf. New females are flirting with Ross territory!

The two newcomers seem to be hanging around with the Mbiri males and they even conducted a kill together.

While we’re loving the presence of new females (because that means the possibility of bundles of lion cub fluff) there could be drama on the horizon…

The two Ross Pride Breakaway females share an inexplicable bond, one that has never faltered through the years. They’ve given birth to plenty of cubs, but their mothering skills leave a lot to be desired. Their cubs, due to the turbulent world of the bushveld, never see maturity. For us, the new females in the area might breathe new life into the traverse, with our hopes being pinned on the possibility of cubs.

Lionesses are exceptionally powerful, ruthless and remarkable hunters. If the two old school queens come face-to-face with the new queens of the jungle, there could be a violent scuffle and dirty drama.

So, who are the new females – the ones daring to patrol the periphery of Ross territory? They are two unknown lionesses often spotted with the beautiful Mbiri males.

We’ve not seen any of them mating, but they were caught devouring a giraffe kill over the weekend. Perhaps the Mbiri’s are wining and dining the females first before making their move!? We speculate that the Mbiri’s are actually the sons of the Northern Matimbas in the Mbiri Pride.

So, that’s the one side of the fence. The other side of the fence is firm old-school favourites, the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses. They were also spotted over the weekend, but avoided the area where the Mbiris and their ladies were hanging out. Over the past couple of weeks we spotted the Sumatra male mating with the Ross girls, but we’ve not seen him since. Nomadic males and unknown males often come to mate with the Ross Pride Breakaway sisters! They tend to keep to themselves and sightings of them are always exclusive from other lion sightings.

While all of this has unfolded during the course of the week, we have also enjoyed some other strange behaviour in the world of lions. One of the Trilogy males emerged from the depths of ‘veld after hiding out for months and brought with him a powerhouse of a lion with youth and stamina on his side. We’ve not seen them since we’ve spotted the Mbiri males.

We’re not asking you to pick favourites – the good news is that we have, once again, an interesting mix of lion behaviour and a heavy presence of female newcomers. Lions – we’re not short of sightings!

Portraits of the Mbiri Male’s Lionesses

The Ross Pride Breakaway Lionesses

Week in Pics : Winter Snaps its Icy Fingers

The leaves are falling from the trees onto the greying landscape below, and the bushveld is slowly thinning out. The ground cover is moving from carpets of velvet greens to cropped crunchy browns – it is clear that the winter months are upon us. Availability of water is becoming scarcer, which means animals flock to readily available water sources. This is the time of year when species congregate at full waterholes and dams in front of lodges. Dark silhouettes rest against crisp orange skies at sunset and the icy breath of early morning’s in the bushveld provide a stark reminder that the seasons have shifted. The good news? It is far easier to spot wildlife in these conditions. Winter can be cold, sharp and shrill; but with it brings a new and exhilarating type of beauty – and this is why we call it peak safari season.

The major development at the Klaserie camps, apart from the rare sighting of the African wild dogs and the Ross Pride Breakaway lionesses, was the launch of the authentic Bush Bar. This bar is located in pristine area in the midst of the reserve and will be used specifically as the “special sundowner” spot.

At Umkumbe Safari Lodge, the highlight has been the presence of the endangered pangolin species. This is not the first time we’ve seen them in the Sabi Sand, and Nadia managed to take a photo of this scaly anteater on the move. Then of course, we spotted two unknown sub-adult male lions who, with the help of others, we’ve identified as 3 Tsalala/Marthly young males.

Ezulwini Game Lodges have been hard at work placing secret bush cameras in high traffic areas and the results have been entertaining. We’ve had elephnats, warthog, antelope, leopard and lion either strolling past, investigating or wallowing in mudpits.

Ivory Wilderness Riversong Camp has also spotted the rare and endangered African wild dogs patrolling their area. We are still in the denning period for these dogs, so hopefully we’ll spot pups at some stage.

Our Botswana camps continue to tick over, with the normal sightings of water-dwelling species in the Okavango Delta and big cats on the Tuskers Bush Camp concession.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Xobega Island Camp and Tuskers Bush Camp

Ivory Wilderness Riversong Camp

Ezulwini Game Lodges

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

#BackAtTheBar : We’ve Just Built a Bush Bar in the Klaserie

Two nights ago we introduced our guests to the much anticipated and talked about “Bush Bar, located deep within the thickets of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. When guests arrived at our sublime and carefully selected spot, hearty laughter and exclamations of delight could be heard reverberating through the land. Plenty of pomp and ceremony ensued while guests swilled their wine and sipped their craft gin. Our rangers have been hard at work constructing the ultimate authentic and rustic bush bar, and their efforts have finally paid off! We launched the bar, created a video and did a shoot while our guests eagerly participated.

There were no inaugural speeches, but talented videographer Kevin MacLaughlin filmed the bush bar construction, set-up and final execution. Photographer Em Gatland was there to document every moment on camera and tried her hand at stylising the set for the shoot. This Bush Bar will now be Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp’s “special” sundowner spot, a place to form strong bonds with fellow guests and celebrate golden hour, the time of day that has become synonymous with safari living. Watch the video, ogle over the images below and read how this special spot came to be. And finally, don’t forget to tag #BackAtTheBar when next you visit!

Over the past few months, in between guiding duties and the daily grind of bushveld living, rangers have been hard at work constructing the ultimate rustic bush bar. They carefully selected the spot for the bar, which is located on a slightly elevated and safe area above a drainage line. Drainage lines are the ideal place for leaopards to hide out and other wildlife to den their young, which makes it all the more exciting. Our expectations are high!

Step one, after selecting the spot for the perfect bar, was to clear the area of debris and obstructions. Elephants are the natural carpenters of the bushveld, so our rangers decided to get in touch with their inner pachyderm and get clearing. From the primitive chopping of wood to the hard labour and final construction; everything was beautifully executed. During the heat of summer, the boys sweated it out and laboured hard to get the groundwork done.

Step two involved the actual construction of the bar, a more creative and practical part of the job. Wood from fallen trees was used for the base of the bar, keeping the idea in mind that the bar is an extension of its surrounds – not an intrusion. Gnarled, misshapen branches give the bar a sculptured look and feel. The bar is supported by wood and strips of wire knitted together to prevent wildlife from smashing it to smithereens!

The top of the bar, where we rest our glasses and goblets of wine, is a flat piece of wood made from the same material as the signage. Adjacent to the bar is the “chill out” circle, complete with wrought iron structure designed to hug a roaring fire.

Step three is where the style and decor comes into play. The bush bar, being at the mercy of the elements, needed to be kept as sturdy and simple as possible. But simple can be classy – after all, less is more. The decor, the styling and the array of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages were (and will be) brought to the area prior to guests’ arrival. We don’t leave the drinks at the bar for fear of stumbling upon drunken honey badgers while on drive and lilac-breasted rollers wreaking of rum.

When the Bush Bar “special” sundowners is set-up, you can expect an array of sundowner snacks to accompany the drinks selection. Camp chairs are placed around the campfire and your choice of drink will be served at your request.

Before the launch, it was vital to set up the bar area and create an ambiance. Lanterns with soft lighting were used to enhance the gentle colours of the sky at sunset, while colourful impala lilies adorned the bar and quirky beaded artwork hovered over the bottles on display.

The Nadias, the rangers and rest of the team served our guests, encouraged banter and ensured there was a consistent flow of merriment. Overall the response to the Bush Bar was phenomenal and we’re looking forward so showing future guests this spot for a special sundowners evening. We’ve even kept up to date with current trends and served an array of local and international craft gins, tonics and elite whiskies! There was also fine wine and other drinks on offer. Em Gatland offered to help with the alcohol selection for the shoot, as she is partial to a fine dram or two.

Swanky bars in crowded city centres adorned with flashing lights and inflated prices don’t hold much appeal to those with a wild spirit and deep connection with nature. This sundowner spot is for the wild spirits of Africa, those that connect with nature and who enjoy a tipple in the bushveld. The brainchild of the Sun Destinations’ directors, this bar encompassed in dramatic scenery is going to be “the” spot to relax.

Bottoms up ! And don’t forget to tag #BackAtTheBar on social media when you next visit.

#CameraTrapTales : Ezulwini Game Lodges Films Lions and Ellies

While on safari in a private reserve, the morning activity commences at roughly 5:30 – 6:30 am. Guests are awakened by their khaki-clad ranger and encouraged to emerge from a deep slumber to “come find lions”. Game drives and bush walks generally span across a time period of 3 hours, and climbing out of your Egyptian cotton linen early in the morning is well worth it. The evening game drive starts at about 15:30 and ends shortly after the ‘veld is shrouded by a canopy of dark night sky. This allows for a short window, twice a day, for us to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Most of the time we’re lucky and qualified trackers and rangers can predict behaviour. They also follow fresh tracks, listen for contact calls, the crunching of trees and alarm calls from the more shrill animals, which points us in the right direction of the big five.

The wild is always unpredictable – this we know. So, while we have those period of times covered , what happens during the dead of night and what unfolds amidst the acacia and tamboti trees while we’re eating our quiche for lunch? Truth is, we don’t know…Unless we set up a trails camera in high wildlife traffic areas. Which is exactly what Christian Louw and the team from Ezulwini Game Lodges did.

The results were astounding and Christian will continue to send through updates of what happens behind the scenes in the Balule Nature Reserve. This has helped tremendously in identifying the lion faces behind the contact calling at night and the origin of the ring-barking of the surrounding trees.

At Ezulwini, we’re quite lucky in that we’ve maximised the game viewing experience. The elevated skywalks at the lodge allow for in-between activities game viewing. Elephants and other animals are drawn the river and the area surrounding Billy’s lodge, which means guests can enjoy game viewing all day long! However, the trails camera has certainly wowed us with its results.

Here’s what we’ve seen :

1. Elephants : The gentle pachyderms trundle their way down to the nearest source of water. Elephants digest plenty of vegetation and thus need to drink on a daily basis. They also enjoy dust baths and swimming.

2. Big cats : A powerful and dominant male lion came to drink from the waterhole. Had he just finished devouring a kill? It’s hard to tell in the images. Then we had a leopard patrolling its turf. Was it Chavaluthu, our favourite male?

3. Plains game :

Impala and kudu appear to be enjoying a drink at the same waterhole. Impressive to see not one, but three kudu bulls!

4. Warthogs enjoying a mud bath

Sounders of warthog often dart through the bushveld, with their radar-like tails pointing the way for the others. The tend to be quite camera shy, so this is quite the epic moment caught on camera!

Keep an eye out for our #CameraTrapTales series where we uncover the secrets of the bushveld and “what happens behind closed doors”. Human beings are naturally ~~nosy~~ inquisitive and always want to know what’s happening in their surrounds. The hidden trails camera in the Balule Nature Reserve gives us further insight into the wild world of animals to satisfy our curiosity, and educates us further about pride dynamics and species behaviour.